1338 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 3, Ch. 31
they continue after he is born from the womb, and then they are further
prolonged. We do not know where the suffering ends. It does not end,
however, by one’s changing his body. The change of body is taking place
at every moment, but that does not mean that we are improving from the
fetal condition of life to a more comfortable condition. The best thing is,
therefore, to develop Krsna consciousness. Here it is stated, upasadita-
visnu-padah. This means realization of Krsna consciousness. One who is
intelligent, by the grace of the Lord, and develops Krsna consciousness, is
successful in his life because simply by keeping himself in Krsna conscious-
ness, he will be saved from the repetition of birth and death.

The child prays that it is better to remain within the womb of darkness
and be constantly absorbed in Krsna consciousness than to get out and
again fall a victim to the illusory energy. The illusory energy acts within
the abdomen as well as outside the abdomen, but the trick is that one
should remain Krsna conscious, and then the effect of such a horrible
condition cannot act unfavorably upon him. In Bhagavad-gita it is said that
one’s intelligence is his friend and the same intelligence can also be his
enemy. Here also the same idea is repeated: suhrdatmanaiva, friendly
intelligence. Absorption of intelligence in the personal service of Krsna
and full consciousness of Krsna always are the path of self-realization and
liberation. Without being unnecessarily agitated, if we take to the process
of Krsna consciousness by constantly chanting Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna,
Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare,
the cycle of birth and death can be stopped for good.

It may be questioned herein how the child can be fully Krsna conscious
within the womb of the mother without any paraphernalia with which to
execute Krsna consciousness. It is not necessary to arrange for parapher-
nalia to worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Visnu. The child
wants to remain within the abdomen of its mother and at the same time
wants to become free from the clutches of maya. One does not need any
material arrangement to cultivate Krsna consciousness. One can cultivate
Krsna consciousness anywhere and everywhere, provided he can always
think of Krsna. The mahd-mantra, Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna,
Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, can be
chanted even within the abdomen of one’s mother. One can chant while
sleeping, while working, while imprisoned in the womb or while outside.
This Krsna consciousness cannot be checked in any circumstance. The
conclusion of the child’s prayer is: ‘‘Let me remain in this condition;
although it is very miserable, it is better not to fall a victim to maya
again by going outside.”
